Sir, - The announcement by Alun Michael, that the government is to ban hunting in some circumstances, and allow it in others is a monument to its indifference to its own expensively-collected evidence, its metropolitan attitude to the countryside, and its sheer political expediency in the face of a fanatical element of its own backbenches.

It is also inconsistent with its proclaimed "principles" of cruelty and utility.

Had the government's own year long "Burn's Enquiry" into hunting found against it, that might have been acceptable, but it didn't. Had the recent consultation process chaired by Alun Michael, which took evidence from a wide range of relevant bodies, include the Game Conservancy Trust, RSPCA and the Countryside Alliance, amongst others, found against it, that might also have been acceptable, but it didn't.

Had recent national opinion polls been against hunting, you might even have concluded that that was some sort of populist democracy at work; but public opinion polls have changed over the last few years and a majority doesn't want to see a ban on hunting anymore.

And even had no one turned up in London in September to protect against the government's disdain for the freedom of people, you could have seen their point. But 407,791, the biggest in British history, did just that.

As for the joint principles of cruelty and utility, on which Alun Michael's proposed bill is based, why do they not apply in the same way to ferreting or to falconry, or shooting, or to fishing or to ratting or to the use of anticoagulants in control of rats or to the law on the use of some traps for certain wild mammals.

Why would the concept of utility not extend to foxes preying on farmstock and ground nesting birds, but be perfectly alright when applied in the control of crop-eating rabbits or pigeons.

The answer, at least, was given by Alun Mitchell himself at the public hearings on September 9 and was paraphrased by one observer to mean, "any joined up thinking on the subject must not stand in the way of a Hunting Bill".

What all reasonable people should do and I think must do, whether they are from the countryside or from the town, from hunting communities or not, and if they are in any way attached to the principles of freedom, self determination and a really serious regard for real animal welfare, is to resist this peculiar and irrelevant bill which serves nothing except a current government's convenience.

ROB BURTON

Chairman, Cleveland People's Countrysports Action Group

Crathorne.

Heritage at risk

Sir, - Two Parliamentary Bills that will damage our cultural life have come to the Commons this week, the one about hunting we all know about, but there is another far more damaging.

The Department of Culture Media and Sport plans to enforce licensing regulations on musical performance in churches, making them subject to inspections and annual fees. This will do grave damage to our musical life.

If the same level of inspection and physical provision (outward opening doors, ramps, rails, special lights and wiring) as is required for secular public halls is imposed, then this will be impossible to provide in the majority of our ancient and historical churches. If it is just a paper exercise, then it is just a deplorable, dishonest, meaningless bureaucratic tax and should be abandoned forthwith.

Nationwide, as well as in Yorkshire, the musical life of amateur choirs and the livelihood of professional performers revolves around the churches - in many villages, they are the only auditorium. Much of the music is written for church organ accompaniment.

In our own village, Sowerby Music, which has been bringing top performers to enthusiastic audiences for well over a decade, will be without a home if the measure is allowed to slip through without protest.

This is the most serious attack on the musical life of our churches since Oliver Cromwell, and must be resisted as such.

CHRISTOPHER M PURSER

Front Street,

Sowerby.

A19 death trap

Sir, - After yet another pile up on the A19 last Sunday at the Black Swan crossroads, I have come to the conclusion that this black spot is more than a death trap. I cross at this point at least 20 times a week and find it more than nerve-wracking.

On Monday morning as I tried to cross over from the East Rounton side to travel South, on the central reservation there were two cars waiting to cross, and on the Black Swan side there were two vans and two cars waiting. The situation looked more than bleak, so I decided the safest way to go south was to head straight over towards the Black Swan public house and do a U-turn so that I could then use the slip road which was obviously safer. By this time I had waited at least five minutes.

In my opinion, this stretch of road needs a 50-mile speeds limit from the Tontine Hotel to the Black Swan, this would also help the Ingleby Arncliffe crossing. A roundabout might also be considered at the Black Swan. One was eventually installed at the northern end of the Easingwold bypass, after several deaths.

They have these types of measures on the A1, so why not on the A19?

F J LEE

Cleveland Avenue,

Stokesley.

It's about freedom

Sir, - The Richmond Labour Party press officer's letter (D&S letters Nov 29) calls for further comment.

Since I "have the time, the wherewithal, and the inclination", my sole reason for writing to the press is to try and draw attention to the lack of factual information available on the Euro, European constitution, regional Assemblies and UK farming.

Many people are keen to be associated and trade with Europe, but do not want to be subject to European Union diktat, which in many cases is not suitable for the UK.

I would hate to bore readers with details, but his "not being out of Gainford" jibe caused some amusement. Visits this year to three continents other than Europe, as it happens, proved that through the use of credit cards the advantage of having a single currency, in 12 Euro countries was minimal in a worldwide context of over two hundred currencies.

It is intended to form a Democracy movement party in Richmond sometime in the new year when a public meeting will be held to discuss Europe. It is important for anyone who wants Britain to be free to keep control of its own affairs to take an interest in this.

For more information contact: www. democracymovement.org.uk tel:0990110440 or www.noeuro.com tel:02073780436.

J HESLOP

Langton Farm,

Gainford